Tooth Contact

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Nissan Xterra. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Apply red lead to the drive gear.
NOTE: Apply red lead to both faces of three to four gears, at four locations evenly spaced on the drive gear.

Fig 1: Applying Red Lead To Drive Gear
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Rotate the drive gear back and forth several times. Then check for correct drive pinion to drive gear tooth contact as shown below.
CAUTION: Check tooth contact on drive side and reverse side.

Fig 2: Identifying Drive Gear (Drive And Reverse Side)
Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- If the tooth contact is improperly adjusted, adjust the drive pinion height (dimension X).
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Drive Pinion Height
  Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  - If the tooth contact is near the face (face contact), or near the heel (heel contact), use a thicker drive pinion height adjusting washer to move drive pinion closer to the drive gear. Refer to "DISASSEMBLY AND ASSEMBLY ".
    
    Fig 4: Moving Drive Pinion Closer To Drive Gear
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
  - If the tooth contact is near the flank (flank contact), or near the toe (toe contact), use a thinner drive pinion height adjusting washer to move the drive pinion farther from the drive gear. Refer to "INSPECTION AND ADJUSTMENT ".
    
    Fig 5: Moving Drive Pinion Farther From Drive Gear
    Courtesy of NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.